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POLO
Tri-County Press October 13, 2016 Volume 159, Number 4 - $1.00
Sectional Action
Free Concert
4-H Sign-Up
Two Marco golfers fall just short of advancing in sectional match Monday. B1
The Stephen Lynerd Ensemble will perform Sunday at the Grove. A6
Ogle County 4-H Clubs are seeking new members as their new year begins. A4
County board member says board too large
Hog Roast
By Vinde Wells vwells@oglecounty news.com
Above, Cousins Morgan and Rylyn Karrow put out more desserts at the Polo Fire Department’s annual hog roast Saturday evening at the fire station. The girls are the granddaughters of Fire Chief Tony Karrow. Below, Polo Firefighter Colton Youngren serves mashed potatoes to Bonnie Bergstrom, Oregon. The event was a fundraiser for the fire department and breast cancer research. Photos by Vinde Wells
Wellness fair offers a “tune-up for life” By Zach Arbogast zarbogast@oglecounty news.com The Wellness and Resource Fair provided flu vaccines, health screenings, wellness activities, cooking demonstrations, and even a bit of pampering to the public. The Rock River Center in Oregon kicked off the 2016 “Tune-Up For Life” Wellness and Resource fair at 9 a.m. Friday, and gave visitors no shortage of information to help improve their quality of life. The Ogle County Health Department, Tri-County Opportunities Council, the Polo Rehabilitation & Health Care Center, Pinecrest Community, and KSB were among the 44 exhibitors present. Susan Skyler conducted a workshop helping families recognize early warning signs of Alzheimer’s. Skyler is the Manager of Education and Outreach for Registered Nurse Cindy Schwartz administers a flu the Alzheimer’s Association. Other workshops included vaccination Oct. 7 during the Wellness Fair at the Rock “Caregivers Need Care River Center. Photo by Chris Johnson
In This Week’s Edition...
Chamber Chatter, A8 Church News, A5 Classifieds, B6-B10 Entertainment, A6 Fines, B4
Too” from University of Illinois Extension Family Life Educator Karla Belzer, and “Color Me a Memory” from Michelle Brown, LPN Memory Care Manager for Pinecrest Community. OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center provided Cholesterol and Glucose screenings, Connect Hearing gave hearing screenings, and Ear Otoscopes were conducted by Miracle Ear. Several providers at the fair provided blood pressure screenings. In the cafe area, Nutrition and Wellness Educator for University of Illinois Extension Marilyn Csernus was demonstrating healthy recipes to the public by cooking up some pumpkin pancakes. Those looking for a little pampering could enjoy some reflexology from Sole Expressions and hand paraffin dips by Neighbors Rehabilitation, Byron. The Ogle County Health Department was administering flu vaccines at the end of the entrance Turn to A2
Library News, A8 Marriage Licenses, A4 Pine Creek News, A3 Public Voice, A7 Property Transfers, B5
An Ogle County Board member believes the body could do with fewer members and has asked for a committee to study the issue. Bruce McKinney, Rochelle, told the county board at its September meeting that he would like to see the board reduced from its current 24 members to 16. He asked Board Chairman Kim Gouker, Byron, to appoint a committee to study the issue now, well ahead of the 2020 census, after which that change could be made. “We’re too large for our size of county,” McKinney, who is also the Rochelle City Clerk, said Oct. 7. “There are other counties larger than us that have 10 or 12 members.” Gouker said last week that while he is willing to bring the question before the board’s Executive Committee for discussion, he believes its too soon to form a committee. “It’s a little premature,” he said. “It wouldn’t happen until 2022.” McKinney told the board he believes the discussions need to begin as soon as possible. He said last week that the change would save the county about $50,00 over a 10-year period. Board members are paid $150 per month for attending three meetings, and another $50 per meeting after that. They are also reimbursed for mileage. The board chairman is paid an additional $250 per month. Besides the monthly board meetings, board members also serve on numerous committees which also meet monthly. Changing the size and configuration of the board can be done only after a census, and any changes take effect at the first election after the census. With the next census in 2020, the changes, if any are made, would happen at the 2022 election. Redistricting, also known as reapportionment, is dictated in the U.S. Constitution, which calls for
“We’re too large for our size of county. There are other counties larger than us that have 10 or 12 members. — Bruce McKinney Rochelle a census every 10 years to determine the population. The results of the census are then used to determine how many legislators can be elected to represent the residents in the local, state, and national government. The process is aimed at ensuring all citizens are equally represented. Ogle County is currently divided into eight districts, varying from 6,300 to 7,000 residents in each. Each district is represented by three county board members, who are elected to their posts. Elections are held every two years in November with members elected to two-year or four-year terms. McKinney said he believes the citizens could be well represented by two board members from each district rather than three. “Right now we have eight districts and with 16 we would have two per district, which I think is plenty to properly represent the constituency,” he said. In fact, McKinney said, 16 may be too many. “It may be good to reduce it further in another 10 years,” he said. “I don’t think we want to be too drastic all at once.” The 2010 census puts Ogle County’s population at 51,659 and that means each of the board’s 24 members represents 2,152 citizens. The puts the county right in the middle, compared to eight other nearby counties. The range goes from each board member in Winnebago County representing 14,353 residents to Bureau County where each represents 1,291. Turn to A3
LOMC groundbreaking ceremony held Sunday By Chris Johnson cxjohnson@oglecounty news.com A pastor was honored Sunday afternoon during a groundbreaking ceremony at the Lutheran Outdoor Ministries Center. “It is an honor to have a building named after me,”
Sheriff’s Arrests, B3 Social News, A4 Sports, B1-B2 State’s Attorney, B3 Weather, A8
said Pastor Norman A. Nelson. “I will work to honor the name.” The Pastor Norman A. Nelson Program Center will be dedicated in the spring. It will be used for indoor activities at the camp year round. Nelson was reminded of Turn to A2
Deaths, B4 Chad W. Copeland, William G. Himert, Linda N. Little, David C. Wright
Published every Thursday by Ogle County Newspapers, a division of Shaw Media • www.oglecountynews.com